Attribute of God: Holiness as Moral Purity and Separation
Holiness, as an attribute of God, encompasses both moral purity and separation. In its highest sense, holiness belongs to God alone [1]. The prophet Isaiah records seraphim proclaiming, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3) [8]. This declaration underscores God's unique and inherent holiness, which is an essential attribute of his being [8, 12].
The concept of holiness in God signifies that he is entirely distinct from the created order and that his character is perfectly pure [12]. He is "essentially, originally, independently, perfectly, and immutably holy" [9]. This divine holiness means God is free from evil and guile [13]. The manifestation of this perfect person, nature, and character is referred to as his "glory" [7].
God's holiness also implies separation. The Old Testament, particularly in Leviticus, emphasizes the distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the pure [4]. This separation is not merely ritualistic but reflects God's moral perfection. As Abraham Ibn Ezra notes, God is holy, and his servants and messengers are likewise called to purify themselves [8].
For humanity, holiness is a commanded state [3]. Believers are called to be holy because God is holy (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16) [3]. This call to holiness involves moral purity, requiring believers to abstain from sexual immorality and other sins (1 Thessalonians 4:3) [6]. It is a work of gradual development, carried out despite hindrances, necessitating watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23-24) [1].
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example and standard for human holiness [2, 3]. He is described as "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26) [2, 13]. His life perfectly embodied righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, obedience, and self-denial [2, 5]. Believers are called to conform to Christ's example in holiness, righteousness, and purity (Romans 1:6; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 3:3) [2]. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to become "partakers of the divine nature" through God's promises, which have a sanctifying effect [11].
The pursuit of holiness is integral to Christian life. It is necessary for the worship of God (Psalm 24:3-4) and is a prerequisite for seeing God (Hebrews 12:14) [3]. The gospel itself is described as the "way of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8) [3]. This pursuit involves departing from sin and dying to it [10]. God's will is for believers to be holy, and he desires this for his people, working to present them to himself "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:25-27) [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 10:10 (YLT) — so as to make a separation between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the pure;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 4:3 (BSB) — For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 17:1: 17:1–26:46 This section deals with how the community of Israel was to observe holiness. Holiness does not describe one attribute of God among many. Rather, it is the sum of all attributes of his person, nature, and character (see study note on Exod 3:5). His “glory” is the manifestation of his perfect person, nature, and character (see Lev 9:6). God’s covenant with Israel meant that the people and the nation participated in God’s holiness. This holiness depended on Israel’s relationship with God. This relationship brought certain ethical and ritual expectations”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 6:3: Holy . An adjective. Holiness is an essential attribute of the Lord; it is therefore the same in every place. God showed Isaiah this vision, that he might purify himself from the uncleanness of the lips; for the Lord is holy, and so also should be His servants and messengers.”
- 1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 2:2: There is none holy as the Lord,.... From the consideration of what the Lord had done for her, which had filled her heart and mouth with joy and praise, she is led to celebrate the perfections of God, and begins with his holiness, in which he is glorious, and which appears in all his ways and works; he is essentially, originally, independently, perfectly, and immutably holy, as others are not. Angels are holy, but not of themselves; their holiness is from the Lord; nor is it perfect in comparison of his, and therefore they cover their faces while they celebrate that p”
- 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 3:11: The apostle, having instructed them in the doctrine of Christ's second coming, I. Takes occasion thence to exhort them to purity and godliness in their whole conversation: all the truths which are revealed in scripture should be improved for our advancement in practical godliness: this is the effect that knowledge must produce, or we are never the better for it. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. Seeing all these things must be dissolved, how holy should we be, that are assured of it, departing from and dying to sin, that has so corrupted and”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:4: Whereby, &c.--By His glory and virtue: His glory making the "promises" to be exceeding great; His virtue making them "precious" [BENGEL]. Precious promises are the object of precious faith. given--The promises themselves are a gift: for God's promises are as sure as if they were fulfilled. by these--promises. They are the object of faith, and even now have a sanctifying effect on the believer, assimilating him to God. Still more so, when they shall be fulfilled. might, &c.--Greek, "that ye MAY become partakers of the divine nature," even now in p”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 89:35: 89:35 holiness: The Lord is wholly distinct from the created order (22:3); his character is totally pure. He does as he pleases (115:3), and he chooses to be faithful (89:1; 115:1); therefore, he cannot lie.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 7:26: such--as is above described. The oldest manuscripts read, "also." "For to US (as sinners; emphatical) there was also becoming (besides the other excellencies of our High Priest) such an High Priest." holy--"pious" (a distinct Greek word from that for holy, which latter implies consecration) towards God; perfectly answering God's will in reverent piety (Psa 16:10). harmless--literally, "free from evil" and guile, in relation to Himself. undefiled--not defiled by stain contracted from others, in relation to men. Temptation, to which He was exposed”